Yann, how far have you got with your project for the 2012 Vendée Globe?

I've found one partner, who has agreed to come up with half of the budget. So I’m looking for a second partner to complete the budget. In the current economic situation, the idea of finding two partners looks like being the right way of going about things to share costs. We’ve got up until the end of November to find the rest of the budget. So in other words, we’ve a month ahead of us. We believe we can do it and we’re relying on the Route du Rhum to remind sponsors that the next Vendée Globe will be taking place two years from now and that now is the time to get involved. Looking beyond this initial date I’ve set myself, I’m giving myself a year before the start to work on a solid project.

So, are you thinking about a second-hand boat or a new one?

We’ve been in discussions with Mer Agitée (Editor: the race team founded by Michel Desjoyeaux in 1999) to buy the new Foncia, which has just been launched. But it seems a lot of people have their eyes on her. In any case, we’re moving towards the purchase or charter of a second-hand boat. The timing is getting tight and building a new boat is an option that looks increasingly difficult.

Have you managed to do any IMOCA sailing to keep your hand in?

I’ll be involved in the delivery home of Roland Jourdain’s boat after the Route du Rhum, with a crew of four. This voyage between Guadeloupe and Brittany will be my first time on an IMOCA monohull since the 2008 Vendée Globe.

Do you still think about the accident that happened to you in the last Vendée Globe?
 

I don’t think about it very often, as I’ve moved on now. It’s mostly people I meet, who remind me of the accident. I’m well aware that this story is going to be with me for a long time, as it was one of the major stories in the last Vendée Globe. Physically, I feel a twinge each day, which is a bit like rheumatism. But I have been able to return to my work and race without any hindrance. Psychologically, it didn’t leave any lasting problems and it hasn’t stopped me sleeping. All of that is now in the past for me…

There was a lot of media coverage of this incident. Has that helped you?

It’s true that the incident and the coverage made me famous to a certain extent. When I talk about my accident, the people I’m talking to can put a face on the sailor it happened to.

You’re sailing your final season in the colours of Generali. What do you think about the thirteen years you have worked together?

It was amazing! Thanks to Generali, I went from being a round the cans racer to an ocean racer. I’ve done 99% of my ocean racing career with them. I am pleased as I was able to see all my projects through: the Solitaire du Figaro, the Vendée Globe, the Jules Verne Trophy and The Race are all races I did in full agreement with Generali. So the end result has been very positive both from a racing and human perspective. I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to find such a close collaboration. But that’s what I am looking for with a new partner!

What will you be doing in the coming months?

I’ll be working alongside Jean-Yves Bernot on the routing for the multihulls in the Route du Rhum. It really interests me to work in this area of the race. Then as I mentioned before, there will be the delivery trip for Bilou’s boat. Apart from that, I don’t really know yet. But I’m not worried. My main goal is to get in as much solo sailing as possible, as that is something I enjoy. Maybe another season in the Figaro circuit? That’s a challenge I’d quite like. But I’d also like to sail with a crew on giant mutihulls or on an IMOCA in the Round Europe Race, for example.